Fully Charged will amaze and delight

By Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy

Editor

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth
brought plenty of "wows" and "ahhhs" into the Allstate Arena as it
kicked off its month-long Chicago visit with its new show, Fully
Charged.

Fully Charged makes you wish you had three pairs of eyes so you
don't miss anything going on in the three rings.

Most spectacular of the two-hour non-stop action came with
Indiana native Brian Miser, aka The Human Fuse, turning himself
into a fireball and catapulting himself from one end of the dark
arena to the other end. Though it takes only a few dramatic
seconds, that's what the kids talked about on the ride home.

But the stomach-plunging acrobatics by the Fernandez Brothers on
spinning steel wheels three stories in the air are a close second.
Parents and kids alike also will marvel at the high-energy tumbling
performance by the Negrey Troupe, a group of gymnasts and acrobats
from Russia.

Still, the lions, tigers and elephants, along with animal
trainer Tabayara Maluenda, despite their relatively brief
appearances, steal the show.

The one downside on opening night was the acoustics. Though much
has been made of hiring Brian Crawford Scott as the 36th
ringmaster, it was extremely difficult to understand him. It was
especially hard to understand Maluenda as he worked with the big
cats.

This circus is an affordable, fun night out for the family that
will be something none of you will soon forget - if you can ignore
the kids' pleas for the $12 bag of cotton candy and $8 box of
popcorn.

Fully Charged is at the Allstate Arena Nov. 3-13, then moves to
the United Center Nov. 16-27. If you arrive an hour early, kids
might like the free pre-show to meet the performers. It was too
crowded on the arena floor opening night to do anything; the view
of the performers was better in the seats and the kids avoided
getting stepped on.

Tickets are $13, $19 and $25. VIP tickets are $40 and front
row seats are $50 (weekday) and $60 (weekend). They are available
through Ticketmaster and the Allstate Arena and United Center box
offices, by calling (800) 745-3000, or visiting Ringling.com.